Looking at travel from Milan to Zermatt, Zermatt to Lucerne, Lucern area then on to Zurich. Seems like Swiss Half card will save us some money with not just the travel but the Mtn trips in Zermatt and Lucern area. My question are:

Can I book first class travel when it becomes available on Trainline and pay as if I have the Swiss Half Card then and then later get the Swiss Half Card for each family member. How far out can I book Swiss travel?

When looking at traveling on both big trips in Switzerland it seems to have quick 4 or 6 minute transfer at Visp and Bern. Is that a Problem.

I would recommend you use the Swiss Train Timetable (www.myswissalps.com/ti metable) to plan your travel and buy tickets. If you haven’t used it before it will pay to read the instructions on that page before delving into the timetable.

You can usually buy tickets 30 days out. Reservations on Swiss trains are not normally required or used except for major Panoramic trains. You don’t need to have already bought the SHFC before buying tickets at half-fare. The only person to care if you have a SHFC will be the inspector on the train. 👩🏻‍✈️

The timetables are geared to show connections that are workable. If you are worried you can set the minimum connection time you prefer in the advanced search.

You can buy your discounted tickets at any time, even months in advance, through the websites listed here: www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/switzerland halffare/price. Or you can buy them via the timetable (only up to one month in advance), or on the spot via a staffed desk or a machine. One of the listed sites is www.happyrail.com/en; they sell both the Swiss Half Fare Card and the discounted tickets (not all destinations though).